County Assures State It Will Expand Jail

December 13, 1989

TAVARES — Sheriff's representatives apparently were successful Monday in convincing state officials that Lake County is serious about solving its jail crowding problem.

The sheriff's chief deputy, Dave Hall, and attorney, Eric Liff, went to Tallahassee on Monday on orders from a state jail inspector. The inspector said a recent check of the Lake County Jail showed an inmate population of 289, 60 more than allowed.

The inspector added that the state could sue the county if the crowding continued.

Lake jail director Gary Borders predicted the state's jail review committee just wanted personal assurance from Sheriff George Knupp or his representatives that the county had a plan to build more jail space.

''It was a 10-minute meeting,'' he said of the Tallahassee appearance. ''Everything's fine.''

On Tuesday, county officials will gather at a site along Main Street just west of the courthouse to break ground for the first phase of the new jail. About 960 beds will be available once work is done, scheduled for March 1992.